Maratha Confederacy (1720–1818)

Maratha Confederacy (1720–1818)

Baji Rao I (1720–1740)

• Baji Rao, the eldest son of Balaji Viswanath, succeeded him as Peshwa at the young age of 20.

• He was considered the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji, and Maratha power reached its zenith under him.

• Under him, several Maratha families became prominent and got themselves entrenched in different parts of India.

Prominent Maratha Families and Their Territories

Major Military Achievements of Baji Rao I

• After defeating and expelling the Siddis of Janjira from the mainland (1722), he conquered Bassein and Salsette from the Portuguese (1739).

• He also defeated the Nizam-ul-Mulk near Bhopal and concluded the Treaty of Doraha Sarai by which he got Malwa and Bundelkhand from the latter (1738).

• He led innumerable successful expeditions into North India to weaken the Mughal empire and to make the Marathas the supreme power in India.

• He said about the Mughals: "Let us strike at the trunk of the withering tree and the branches will fall off themselves."

Balaji Baji Rao (1740–1761)

• Popularly known as Nana Saheb, he succeeded his father at the age of 20.

• After the death of Shahu (1749), the management of all state affairs was left in his hands.

• In an agreement with the Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah, the Peshwa was to protect the Mughal empire from internal and external enemies (like Ahmad Shah Abdali) in return for Chauth (1752).

Third Battle of Panipat (January 14, 1761)

• Resulted in the defeat of the Marathas by Ahmad Shah Abdali and the death of Viswas Rao and Sadashiv Rao Bhau.

• This event shocked the Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao, and after six months, he also died.

• This battle ended the Maratha power.

Successors of Balaji Baji Rao

• Madhav Rao (1761–72)

• Narayan Rao (1772–73)

• Sawai Madhav Rao (1773–95)

• Baji Rao II (1795–1818)

Anglo-Maratha Wars

First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782)

• Favouring the cause of Raghunath Rao (Raghoba) for Peshwaship, the English (Hastings) came into conflict with the Marathas.

• On being defeated, the British had to sign the humiliating Convention of Wadgaon (1779).

• The British later signed the Treaty of Salbai (1782), renouncing the cause of Raghoba.

Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1806)

• The Maratha Peshwa signed the Subsidiary Alliance Treaty of Bassein (1802).

• The Maratha confederacy, which did not like the idea, challenged British power but was defeated by the British.

Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818)

• Lord Hastings was determined to proclaim British paramountcy in India.

• He moved against the Pindaris, transgressed the sovereignty of the Maratha chiefs, and the war began.

• The Marathas were decisively defeated.

Final Thoughts

The Maratha Confederacy played a defining role in shaping 18th-century Indian politics and military power. From Baji Rao I's daring campaigns to the tragic loss at Panipat, each battle reflected the resilience and ambition of the Marathas.

Their military strategies, especially guerrilla warfare, left a lasting legacy in Indian history. Despite their eventual decline, their efforts to challenge the Mughals and resist British dominance marked a powerful era of resistance.

These battles were not just about territory—they were about identity, sovereignty, and legacy. Understanding them gives us deeper insight into India’s complex historical journey.